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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



American Dramatists Series 

PUPPETS OF FATE 



a drama in four acts 
and a prologue by 



ALICE ELIZABETH LAVELLE 




BOSTON: THE GORHAM PRESS 

THE COPP CLARK CO., Limited, TORONTO 



Copyright, 1914, by Alice E. Lavelle 



All Rights Reserved 






/^ ]4' 



MAY -8 1914 



The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



• CI.D 36 97 7 



Dedicated to those 
friends who ever spoke 
loving and encouraging 
words to and of — 

THE AUTHOR 



PREFACE 

The following historical drama has no incident 
in it that I have not found suggested or recorded 
by one authority or another. When I found writ- 
ers that differed I took the better corroborated 
story or that which seemed to me more likely to be 
authentic. As has been well said, "If you would 
have the story of Napoleon, you must take it from 
the lips of Frenchmen." I have followed this sug- 
gestion and read many French authorities before 
beginning to Write, and it is because I have taken 
the word of Frenchmen in regard to their hero 
that I paint the picture of Josephine to be found in 
this book. I want to acknowledge the kindness of 
Professor Henry Le Daum, Professor of French 
and Spanish in the University of North Dakota, 
for his encouragement and directness in suggesting 
to me that I give the true French version of Jose- 
phine's character and the philosophy of Napoleon 
as applied to his treatment of the deposed Empress 
of the French. I am much indebted to this gentleman 
also for the use of many valuable books, without 
which I should have been unable to get such an 
intimate knowledge of the subject on which I under- 
took to write. A. E. L. 



PROLOGUE 

Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Interior, 
1797. 

ACT I 

SCENE I 

Josephine's Drawing-room, rue Chatereine, 1797) 
four weeks after her marriage to Napoleon Bona- 
parte who has just been made Commander-in-Chief 
of the Army of Italy. 

SCENE 2 

Tent scene near Piedmont, Italy, four weeks 
after Napoleon s marriage to Josephine. Time is 
identical with that of scene I. 

ACT II 

SCENE I 

Tent scene in Cairo, Africa, 1789, fourteen 
months after Napoleon s marriage to Josephine. 

SCENE 2 

Scene in Josephine's drawing-room, 1798, seven- 
teen months after her marriage and immediately 
after his return from Africa to Paris. 



ACT III 

Room in palace at Mantua, Italy, 1 807. 
ACT IV 

SCENE I 

Room in Fontainebleau, 1809. 

SCENE 2 
Room, in Fontainebleau, one day later. 

ACTV 

Josephine's boudoir at Malmaison in May 1814. 



CHARACTERS 

Napoleon^ afterward Emperor of France. 

Eugene^ son of Josephine by her first husband^ 
Viscount de Beauharnais. 

LuciEN^ brother of Napoleon. 

LouiS^ brother of Napoleon and husband of 
Hortense, step-daughter to Napoleon^ who made 
this couple King and Queen of Holland and adopt- 
ed their son. Napoleon, and made him heir to the 
French throne. The child died, however. 

Gen. Murat^ afterward married to Napoleon s 
sister, Caroline. 

Barras^ Head of the Directory at Paris when 
the play opens. 

JuNOT^ Aide-de-camp to Napoleon. 

BouRRiENNE^ Secretary to Napoleon. 

DuROCj valued personal friend of Napoleon; 
killed in battle. 

Arnault^ the Poet. 

Regnault de St. Jean d'Angely. 

Alexander of Russia^ one of the kings who 
combined to defeat Napoleon. 

Marmont. 

Lavalette^ after-ward made a count by Na- 
poleon. 

Doctor Corvisart, Court Physician. 

GretrYj the Composer. 

FouCHE^ Minister of Police. 



Louisa^ confidante of Josephine in the earlier 
years of her life. 

Mme. Murat^ Napoleon s sister Caroline. 

Stephanie de Beauharnais, relative of Jose- 
phine and adopted by Napoleon. 

Hortense^ daughter of Josephine by her first 
husband. She married Louis and became Queen of 
Holland. 

Josephine^ a widozVj who married Napoleon and 
became Empress of France. 

Valets, couriers, lackeys, pages and ladies-in-wait- 
ing. , 



PUPPETS OF FATE 



PROLOGUE 

Scene — Inner office of Gen. Napoleon Bona- 
parte, Commander-in-Chief of the Interior , 1797- 
Door R. in flat. Banner "Vive la Republique" 
with large maps of Europe or European countries 
on wall; fire-place with conventional mantle-piece; 
stack of confiscated arms; desk with ink bottle, 
papers, books, quills, etc.; common table with chairs, 
R., book-case, etc. Discover Lavalette seated at 
desk writing. 

Enter an Orderly with letters and papers. 

Orderly {handing papers to Lavalette) Good 
morning, M. Lavalette. 

Lavalette (scrutinizing letters closely and in- 
dicating red one — a large square envelope) Where 
did this — Good morning, Ormonde — Where did 
this red envelope come from? 

Orderly. Don't know, sir. 

^Orderly starts out but meets a boy at the door 
who bumps into him, upsetting the dignity of the 
orderly greatly.^ 

Boy (breathlessly) Is this the office of Gen. 
Bonaparte ? 

Orderly. Yes! but unless you are some rela- 
tive, you are in the wrong place, young man ! This 
is his private office ! 

II 



la PUPPETS OF FATE 

Boy (seeing Lavalette whom he mistakes for 
Bonaparte) Oh! (Rushes over to desk where Lav- 
alette continues to write. Boy caughs. Lavalette 
looks up quickly and then continues to write ob- 
viously indifferent to the presence of the boy, who 
then caughs again. Lavalette now coughs danger- 
ously. ) 

Lavalette (sternly) Well, boy, what is it? 

Boy. Gen. Bonaparte, I am the son — 

Lavalette (with dignity) I am not Gen. Bona- 
parte. 

Boy (more confidently) Oh! Where is Gen. 
Bonaparte then? Isn't this the office of the Com- 
mander of the Interior? The Orderly said — 

Lavalette. Yes, it is, but the Commander of 
the Interior has something to do besides interview- 
ing boys. In fact, I am right here to keep fools, 
and boys at a distance! 

Boy. Well I may be a boy but I am no fool and 
I am going to see him, that's all! I'm Gen. Beau- 
harnais' son and I must see Gen. Bonaparte. 

Lavalette ( Writing) You might as well get out 
first as last. He is busy. He has an appointment 
with M. Barras of the Directory at this time, 

[Enter Napoleon who stands just inside the door 
taking in quietly all that is passing.^ 

Boy. But I tell you I must and will see him. 
I want my father's sword back! My father was 
the commander of the French Army once. 

Lavalette. I tell you you cannot see him, 
boy! Your demand would appear ridiculous in his 
eyes. What does he care for your father? 

Boy. But my father was a commander as he is 
and I am the son of a soldier and my father and 



PROLOGUE 13 

mother always told me to keep that sword and 
only use it for the cause of right and justice, for 
the honor of — 

Napoleon {advancing) Lavalette, who is this 
boy? {to the boy) What is it? 

Lavalette {taking boy by the arm) I'll show 
him out. — 

Boy. But I wont go out until I get it! I told 
my mother I would not and I wont! 

Napoleon {to Lavalette) Wait! Force is very 
well when one can use nothing else, but when one 
is master, justice is better. My boy, what is it? 
Who has w;ronged you that you are so excited? 
I'll attend to your case just as soon as I see if there 
is anything of importance in the morning's mail. 
{Picks up red envelope and looks at it curiously; 
then opens it and reads aloud, "You shall be 
King") Strange! Where did this come from, 
Lavalette ? 

Lavalette. I don't know; I cannot find out 
where it came from. 

Napoleon. Now, what is it, my boy? 

Boy. Are you Commander-in-Chief of the In- 
terior ? 

Napoleon. I am. 

Boy. Well, you sent an officer to my house and 
he took away my father's sword on your orders, he 
said, and I want it back. My father was Gen. 
Beauharnais, and his last words almost were to give 
that very sword to his son — to me — and I want it! 
I love my country just as much as you do, and so 
does my mother, and that sword will never be used 
by me but for the purpose of getting for my moth- 
er her rights or the rights of my father's land, and 



14 PUPPETS OF FATE 

I want it back! 

Napoleon. {Patting him on the shoulder) 
And you shall have it back ! That sword, Lavalette ! 

Exit Lavalette. 

Napoleon. Your mother is the Vicountess de 
Beauharnais, who so narrowly escaped the guillo- 
tine herself? I would like to know her. She has 
a son who is not afraid to make himself heard, and 
that speaks well for the mother's judgment and 
character. 

Re-enter Lavalette who hands sword to Na- 
poleon. 

Napoleon. My son, take your father's sword 
to your mother with the compliments of Gen. Bona- 
parte. 

Boy. (Showing himself to be much affected as 
he kisses the sword) Thank you greatly, sir. My 
mother is waiting for me in the carriage; she will 
probably come in and thank you herself, personally. 

Exit the boy. 

Napoleon. Oh! O — Yes; I would be pleased 
to receive her. Lavalette, somebody just called you 
into the outer ofRce! 

Lavalette {surprised) What's that. General? 
Oh! Oh, yes! 

Exit Lavalette. 

[Napoleon seats himself pompously at desk, ar- 
ranging himself to appear imposingly.~\ 

Enter Josephine. 

Josephine. Gen. Bonaparte. {No answer) 
Gen. Bonaparte! {When he looks up at her) I 
am the mother of the boy whom you have just made 
so happy. May I thank you personally for your 
great kindness? {No answer) to the widow and 



PROLOGUE 15 

son of Beauhamais? 

Napoleon. (Having risen accepts her hand) 
I am glad to be of service to you. (Awkwardly) 
It was at the time of the general order for dis- 
armament of the sections and my officers were 
simply complying with the letter of the law in vis- 
iting the private homes and confiscating the arms 
therein. (Pauses awkwardly) I was much affected 
by the frankness and fervor your boy displayed and, 
believe me, madame, I hesitated not a moment to 
grant his request. 

Josephine. Oh, sir, your generosity fills Paris 
with contentment. Indeed, for your protection of 
the Convention, you are regarded as the Saviour of 
the country by some. 

Napoleon. By many as a demon who has de- 
luged the capital with blood, I fear. 

Josephine. Oh, I admit it seems to me that it 
is only with regret that we should think of the con 
sternation you have spread throughout the capital. 
To me, a Royalist, it is a frightful service you have 
performed. 

Napoleon. It is very possibly so; the military 
are only automata to which the government gives 
such motions as it pleases. They have no duty but 
to obey. Besides, I wished to teach the Parisians 
a little lesson. This is simply my seal which I have 
set upon France! 

Josephine. Oh, indeed! 

Napoleon. These light skirmishes are but the 
coruscations of my glory. 

Josephine. If you are to acquire glory at such 
a price, I would rather count you among the vic- 
tims! 



i6 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Napoleon. {Surprised) Indeed! 

Josephine. My husband, remember, was guil- 
lotined ! 

Napoleon. Yes; I remember. I regret it, 
Madame. 

Enter Barras. 

Napoleon. Good day, M. Barras. 

Barras. Good day — {with great surprise) 
Mme. Beauharnais! This is a surprise! 

Josephine {embarassed) Yes — yes— I came 
with Eugene to recover the sword of my dead hus- 
band. 

Barras. Oh, I see! {Maliciously) But where 
is the boy? 

Josephine. In the carriage — outside — he waits 
for me! 

Napoleon. I see you are friends of old stand- 
ing, M. Barras? 

Barras. Oh, we are more than friends. Mme. 
Tallien and Mme. de Beauharnais are the two chief 
ornaments of my seraglio ; in fact, Mme. Tallien is 
the ex-sultana! 

Napoleon, {shocked) What! 

Barras. Yes — 

Josephine. Oh, pray! Barras! What — ! 

Barras {impudently and enjoying the conster- 
nation of the others) Don't take me too seriously, 
Bonaparte! I will call again. I fear I have inter- 
rupted a mutually agreeable tete-a-tete, 

Josephine. Not at all — 

Exit Barras. 

Napoleon. That was hardly the way to speak 
to a lady — a lady of the old regime. 

Josephine. Gen. Bonaparte, I trust you will 



PROLOGUE 17 

believe me, his words were stronger than his mean- 
ing. 

Napoleon. His words were offensive and im- 
pertinent to a lady of the — 

Josephine. His jests are coarse as the grain of 
his nature. Of course, you know Mme. Tallien 
was my greatest benefactor during the Revolution. 
Through her, Barras restored much of my property 
through his influence with the Directory, and hence, 
for my two children's sake, I am grateful to him, 
and frequently — very frequently — do I assist Mme. 
Tallien at Barras' home. 

Napoleon. I see! I see! 

Josephine. The man's jests are barbarously 
chosen ! 

Napoleon. Yes, he smacks of the barracks more 
than I, but Barras is at the head of the Directory, 
Madame, and at present I am looking for an ap- 
pointment to the command of the Army of Italy. 
Just now I need his help and YOURS if you have 
the influence you say, through Mme. Tallien. I 
have need of his influence to arrive at the power I 
seek, but {impressively) the time will yet come 
when they will all be but too happy should I grant 
them mine. My sword is by my side and with it I 
shall go far. 

Josephine. I would consider it a great honor 
if I may be able to serve you in the way you suggest. 

Napoleon. You could help me, Madame. 

Josephine. And I will do so if you will be 
more explicit. {Gracefully) You are incomparably 
the most fascinating man I have ever met. 

Napoleon. Ah, Madame, I thank you, but — 
may I call and explain further? 



1 8 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Josephine. When shall I be honored? 

Napoleon. You are gracious. Tomorrow at 
four. (Bowing her out through door) Adieu. 
(Sta?ids by door in deep meditation) THAT wom- 
an has prestige. She has what I most lack — royalist 
friends and connections on every hand. Isolated, 
with no fortune save that which my sword carves 
out for me, with military rank and talents, I lack 
only a gracious, diplomatic woman of the old school. 
(Goes over to desk; sits) She has herself given me 
the key to the situation, and Barras has promised 
to assist me to negotiate some such marriage for 
myself ! Now is the time ! Through her and Mme. 
Tallien, Barras, to be rid of my growing power in 
Paris, will nominate me Commander-in-Chief of the 
Army of Italy, and Josephine will be the star of 
my destiny! (Rising) The English poet has said: 
"The flighty purpose never is o'ertook unless the 
deed go with it." I will go at once to — BARRAS ! 

[Enter Barras ivho stands in door as his name is 
spoken.~\ 

Barras. (Bowing profoundly) At your service! 

CURTAIN 



ACT I 



SCENE I 



Scene — Josephine s sitting room in rue Chater- 
eine, Paris. Large center door with potted palms 
or ferns at either side; stair-case L. with landing 
four or five steps up; lady's writing desk R. of door; 
fire-place R.; small table with chairs R. toward 
front; wooden but gracefully carved settle L. Dis- 
cover Josephine sitting at writing desk with back 
toward audience; she is opening her mail and read- 
ing letters. Louise, embroidering as she sits on set- 
tle. Josephine rises and comes down to sit at table 
with back toward fire-place. She lays letters on 
table. 

Josephine, {musing aloud as she reads letters) 
I wonder whether this extraordinary self-confidence 
which Bonaparte manifests in his most insignificant 
words might not merely be the result of a young 
man's presumption, which might easily be destined 
to bitter disappointment. 

Louise. I don't think so. 

Josephine. Strange that this clever, young mil- 
itary officer should have been attracted to me — 

Louise. Yes — with HIS piercing eyes! 

Josephine. More than six years older than he! 

Louise. I should say so! 

Josephine. Sometimes I wonder whether the 
man with whose fate mine is now bound Is a mad- 
man or a genuine hero! 

Louise. I think he's both! 
19 



20 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Josephine, {louder) Was I wise to marry a 
friend of young Robespierre — to marry a Republi- 
can general? 

Louise. You WERE wise; what had 5^ou to 
lose? Nothing. To gain? Well, at least, he 
HONORED you, which is more than — 

Josephine. Yes, Louise, but I must say I trem- 
ble before the violence of Bonaparte's love. You 
have no idea — our honeymoon lasted only two 
days — 

Louise. Enough, from what you say! 

Josephine. Yes, and now he summons me to 
Italy to camp — I, who love the very gutters of 
Paris! To leave all my friends and go to Italy to 
camp with only HIM for diversion! 

Louise. The bomb shells will furnish you di- 
version enough, judging from the reports! 

Josephine, {reading one of the letters) Lis- 
ten! "Hasten, for I warn you that if you linger, 
you will find me ill; fatigue and your absence com- 
bined are more than I can bear." Here's another. 
I do believe he never sends a messenger to Paris to 
the Directory without sending, at the same time, a 
letter to me. {Reads from another letter) "You 
are coming, are you not, my darling? You will 
soon be here at my side and I can hold you in my 
arms, close to my heart, which beats only for you. 
Oh, take wings, beloved, and fly to me!" It is im- 
possible to avoid it. I have written that I am too 
ill to leave Paris until that story is worn out. Now 
he writes that Joseph is to take me, and again, 
that Junot, his aide-de-camp, is on his way hither, 
to conduct me to Toulon, "if I am able," {laughs 
lightly) he says! 



ACT I 21 

Enter Murat. 

MuRAT. How now! Good morning! How is 
my lady? {As Josephine rises and acknowledges 
the greeting but points disconsolately to the letters 
on table) Downcast — I need not ask! Good morn- 
ing, Louise, {taking her hand after which Louise 
crosses R. and sits at table; Josephine leads Murat 
L. and sits on settle.) 

Louise. Yes, Bonaparte is an unreasonable lov- 
er. {To audience) I wish he were mine! I'd ap- 
preciate him better. 

MuRAT. In love it is idle to seek for reasons. 
One loves because one loves, and nothing is less 
capable of explanation than this feeling. 

Josephine. Yes; but one should not love when 
it inconveniences the lady! 

Murat. But I understand your husband, Mad- 
ame Bonaparte. Napoleon is in love in every mean- 
ing of the word, judging from the letters you have 
shown me. It is, apparently, for the first time, and 
he feels it with all the force of his nature and char- 
acter. 

Louise. Besides, you got him his appointment 
to Italy from Barras yourself, Madame. 

Josephine. Yes; and when I told him of his 
appointment and of the envy it had already caused 
among his fellow soldiers, he said pompously, 
"Think they then that I have need of their pro- 
tection to arrive at power? Egregious mistake! 
They will one day be happy should I grant them 
mine! My sword is by my side and with it I shall 
go far!" {Laughs playfully) Oh, Bonaparte is 
so funny! 

Enter the Foet Arnault. 



22 PUPPETS OF FATE 

{Josephine and Murat rise as they find Arnault 
bowing before them.) 

Josephine. Good morning, Arnault. 

Arnault. Good morning, Mme. Bonaparte. 
Good morning, Murat. 

Josephine. Louise! 

Louise {rising and going to Josephine who hands 
her Arnault's hat) Yes. {She answers Arnault's 
polite bow of recognition by a cheerful "Good morn- 
ing." She then carries hat R. and lays it on table.) 

Murat (to Arnault) Good morning I have 
just brought Mme. Bonaparte another letter from 
her husband, but I hardly dare to present it, she is 
already so overcome with his importunate nature. 

Josephine. {Sitting on settle with Murat on 
her left, Arnault standing conveniently near) Oh! 
have you another letter? Let us read it; I like to 
read them; it pleases my vanity, I suppose. I dare 
say he is still begging me to go to him. 

Arnault. Surely he does not vi^ant you to go 
to — 

Josephine, {as she takes the letter and pro- 
ceeds to open it) Yes, {piteously) he wants me to 
go to Italy! 

Arnault, But the war has scarcely begun. 

Louise. {Answering Arnault's look in her di- 
rection) Her place is certainly not in Italy. 

Josephine. {Looking up from her letter) Mu- 
rat, what do you say? 

Murat. Well, Madame, it is hardly the place 
for a young wife in the tumult of a fight. The dis- 
order of camp life will hardly please your delicate 
nature. 

Josephine, {gratefully) I knew you would 



ACT I 23 

say that! {piteously) But what shall I do about 
it? {Brightening up ) Read that. {Hands him 
the letter) Isn't that ridiculous? 

Louise. Suspicious ? Again ? 

Josephine. Yes. 

Louise. {To audience) He's no fool! 

Josephine. Look, Murat. {Indicates place on 
letter) Read that to Arnault. 

Murat. I can't read it. 

Josephine. Try, 

Murat. No, I never was good at puzzles, 
Madame. 

[^Enter Junot who stands taking in the situation 
unobserved.^ 

Josephine. {Receiving back the letter, and 
reading) "What are you doing? Why do you not 
come? If it is a lover that detains you, fear Othel- 
lo's dagger." How funny Bonaparte is! Listen, 
Arnault and Louise, {reads) "When tempted to 
curse my fate, I lay my hand over my heart and 
feeling your picture there, love renders me supreme- 
ly happy, and all of life seems bright, save the time 
which I spend away from you." 

Arnault, {to Louise) She is ever playful. 
How could he mistrust her. 

Louise, {to Arnault) Yes; how could he! 
{to audience) Arnault doesn't know her as well 
as I! 

[^Junot coughs and comes forward. All evident- 
ly embarrassed but Josephine.^ 

Josephine. Lieut. Junot! You are welcome. 
Let me present Gen. Murat and the Poet, Arnault. 
You have met Louise, I think. 

Junot. {Acknowledging the introductions in a 



24 PUPPETS OF FATE 

graceful but businesslike manner) I come, Mad- 
ame, to conduct you at once to your husband who 
awaits you at Toulon. He commands your pres- 
ence under my escort. My orders are six hours in 
Paris; madame, in one hour I leave. 

Josephine. {Dropping her head on Murat's 
shoulder. He puts her away gently) Oh, Paris! 
Paris! (Looking helplessly at Junot) And must 
I leave everything and everybody for — 

Junot. {at the door) Madame, you must! 

Exit Josephine weeping. 

Murat and Arnault take leave of Louise and 
pass out saluting Junot gravely. 

Junot. Tell Mme. Bonaparte, please, I will 
return very shortly. 

Louise. Yes, Lieut. Junot; she will be ready. 

Exit Junot. 

Louise, {sitting) Isn't she the little fool! 
Considering her checkered career up to this time. 
She ought to be elated to get such adoration from 
a man like he! Just think! Commander-in-Chief 
of the Army of Italy. Only twenty-six years old 
and his name in every mouth — and she only laughs 
at him! If I were not well pensioned by her, it 
could never have happened. She is too shallow to 
get anything but amusement out of letters which to 
any serious woman would be a crown of glory. All 
she does is bewail her fate, and yet in Paris Na- 
poleon Bonaparte is next to Barras, who cares no 
more for her than she for Bonaparte at this mo- 
ment ! 

Enter Josephine. 

Josephine. Oh, Louise, why are you not get- 
ting ready? Hasten. You must come to keep my 



ACT I 25 

courage up. 

Louise. No, Josephine. Everyone is calling me 
"the officious;" they know I am and have been 
your confidante, not your maid. You will do bet- 
ter not to let Bonaparte see the relation in which 
you really hold me, but do not fear; I will never 
betray you. 

Josephine. Oh, I know that. But come. I 
cannot bear to be there without a friend — someone 
in whom I can confide my innermost feelings. 

Louise. But you will have Napoleon. 

Enter Junot unobserved. 

Josephine. Oh, Napoleon! What of him! I'd 
rather have Junot! 

Junot. {advancing) Madame, the carriage 
waits. 

Josephine. Must I really go? Then, hurry, 
Louise. I cannot go without you. 

Louise, {wisely) Yes; you NEED me, I see. 

(exit) 

Josephine. {Piteously as she seats herself de- 
jectedly at table apparently totally oblivious to 
Junot' s presence) Oh, Paris! Paris! And I must 
leave you behind when I was having so many good 
times and when so much seemed promised me. 

Re-enter Louise, buttoning her wraps. 

Junot. Madame, we wait. Six hours only in 
Paris; my orders. 

Exeunt Josephine and Louise. 

Junot. {in center door before following) So 
this is the wife of the MAN of DESTINY! (exit) 

CURTAIN 



26 PUPPETS OF FATE 

SCENE II 

Scene — Napoleon's tent on the battlefield near 
Piedmont, Italy, 1797, four weeks after marriage 
to Josephine. Narrow table just in front of en- 
trance to main tent with large maps spread out, ink 
bottle, quills, etc. Cannon and stacked arms, 
French solider pacing about regularly. Discover 
Napoleon sitting back of table {facing audience) 
with Marmont and Lavalette following him as he 
traces with a pin in each hand the proposed cam- 
paign. 

Napoleon, {sticking pins into map) I'll catch 
them here! (5//^ back with hands in pockets and 
studies maps) Lavalette, I am sending you with 
Junot to Paris, because I think you are best fitted 
to act on the Royalists and to protect the families 
of the old regime. Gen. Augereau will act on the 
Republicans for me and win the confidence of the 
more ardent Democrats. It will not be necessary 
for you to communicate with him. Keep your own 
counsel and he will keep his. You understand. 

Lavalette. Yes, General, when shall I start? 

Napoleon. As soon as I receive the next 
courier from Paris. 

Enter Courier. 

Napoleon. Ah! At last. {Taking letters 
from saluting courier) No letters from my good 
Josephine? Woman's way. {Picks out a letter) 
What! You have one? Good! {Opens letter and 
reads eagerly.) 

Marmont. {to Lavalette as they look at Na- 
poleon narrowly) However occupied he may be 
with his greatness, the interests intrusted to him. 



ACT I 27 

and with his future, he nevertheless always has 
time to think of his wife. 

Napoleon, {sitting down, one hand in pocket, 
letter in the other) I've wronged that woman 
greatly. I do not know how I shall ever expiate my 
fault. I reproached her for remaining in Paris 
when she is suffering. Marmont, a child as ador- 
able as my Josephine will soon rest in my arms. 
(Rises and walks up and down rapidly, taking out 
a miniature of Josephine which he studies lovingly. 
Looking at it, he says tenderly) It seems to me that 
could I but see you once, hold you for an instant in 
my arms, I should be content, but, unfortunate man 
that I am I cannot — even for a moment. I must 
write to Joseph, my brother, {turns quickly toward 
table and sees courier who stands watting orders) 
Oh! {to courier) What are people saying about 
us in Paris ? Are they satisfied ? 

Courier. {Salutes) They are filled with ad- 
miration for you. General. 

Napoleon. They have not seen anything yet. 
There are still greater successes for us — in the fu- 
ture. Fortune has not smiled on us for me to des- 
pise her favors. She is a woman and the more she 
does for me, the more I shall demand of her. In 
our time, no one has devised anything really great. 
I must set the example. {Taking another letter 
which the courier has brought and after reading it 
intently) I am about to resign. Lavalette, you 
must take my written statement to the Directory. 

Lavalette. Resign ! 

Marmont. How ! Why ? 

Napoleon. This letter informs me that hence- 
forth the Army of Italy is to be divided into two 



28 PUPPETS OF FATE 

armies, one of which {that of the South) is to be 
confided to me. This is to set forth to conquer the 
southern part of the pensinsula, while the other, that 
of the North, is to be commanded by General Kel- 
lerman. (Calls) Bourrienne! Bourrienne! 

Enter Bourrienne R. and Napoleon indicates by 
a wave of his hand that he wants him to sit down at 
the table and write. When Bourrienne is seated. 
Napoleon sits on edge of table and watches the sec- 
retary now and then to see that he is getting the 
dictation all right. Exeunt Lavalette and Mar- 
mont L. 

Napoleon. Write: "I have conducted my 
campaign without consulting anyone. I should have 
failed had I been compelled to adapt myself to an- 
other's methods. I have gained some advantages 
over greatly superior forces, when my men were in 
absolute need of everything, because confiding in 
their trust in me, my march was as swift as my 
thought. {Gets up and begins to walk rapidly 
about) I feel that it takes some courage — much 
courage to write you this letter; (looking vaguely 
into the audience with arms folded) it exposes me to 
the charge of ambition and pride." (Takes out 
miniature and regards it lovingly) Address that 
letter to the Directory. Take this letter to Joseph. 
(Dictates) "My friend, I am in despair, for my 
wife, the only creature in the world whom I love, is 
ill, and I am oppressed with the most gloomy fore- 
bodings because of her condition. I beseech you to 
tell me how she is, and by the tie of blood and the 
tender friendship which unites us, beg that you will 
give her the tender care which it would be my 
greatest joy to give her. You cannot love her as I 



ACT I 29 

do, but you are the only person on earth who can, 
even in a measure, take my place. You are the 
only man on earth for whom I have always enter- 
tained a warm and constant affection. You and my 
Josephine are the only beings in whom I feel any 
interest. Reassure me; tell me the truth. You 
know my ardent nature, that I have never loved be- 
bore, that Josephine is the first woman I have ever 
truly cared for, and you can understand that her 
illness drives me distracted. I am alone, given 
over to fears and ill health; nobody writes to me 
and I feel deserted by all, even by you. If my wife 
is able to stand the journey, I desire that she should 
come to me for I need her. I love her to distraction 
and I cannot endure the separation. If she has 
ceased to love me, my mission on earth is finished. 
I leave myself in your hands, my best of friends, and 
beseech you to so arrange matters, that my courier 
will not be obliged to remain in Paris longer than 
six hours, to hasten his return with the news which 
will give me new life. (As Napoleon dictates the 
last wordSj the glass on the miniature breaks as he 
raises the picture to his lips. He regards this as 
an ill omen) Oh, God! My wife is either fright- 
fully ill— or worse— UNFAITHFUL TO ME! 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 



SCENE I 



Scene — Napoleon's tent in Cairo, Africa, 1798, 
fourteen months after his marriage to Josephine. 
Comparatively speaking, the same as the tent scene 
near Piedmont. Discover Napoleon and Junot 
walking together and in intense conversation. Na- 
poleon evidently much disturbed and angry. 

Napoleon. Leave me now, Junot, but send 
Bourrienne to me at once. I want to write to 
Joseph. I will have done with her! 

Enter Bourrienne L. 

Napoleon {R.) YOU are not devoted to me! 
{Sits on bench outside tent) Oh Woman! Jose- 
phine! — If you were devoted to me, you would 
have told me what I have just learned from Junot. 
He is a true friend. Josephine and I are six hun- 
dred miles apart. — Josephine — to deceive me in that 
way! She! — Confound them! I will wipe out the 
whole brood of coxcombs and popinjays! — ^As for 
her! divorce! — yes, divorce! a public divorce! a 
full exposure! — I must write. I know everything. 
You ought to have told me! 

Bourrienne. Don't you think Junot is a trifle 
lacking in generosity to thus lightly accuse a woman 
who is absent and unable to defend herself? 

Napoleon, {mournfully) Josephine, of all per- 
sons! To simulate a love she did not feel! 

Bourrienne. Do you think Junot proves his 
devotion to you by adding domestic trials to the 
30 



ACT il 31 

uneasiness you already feel over the situation here at 
this crisis? 

Napoleon. Divorce! Separation and divorce! 

BouRRiENNE. You are mad; such a proceeding 
would tarnish your glory. 

Napoleon. My glory! My glory! I don't 
know what I would not give to know that what 
Junot has told me is not true, so much do I love 
that woman ! If Josephine is guilty, a divorce must 
separate us forever — I don't want to be the laugh- 
ing stock of all the idlers in Paris. I am going to 
write to my brother Joseph; he will see to the 
divorce. 

BoURRiENNE. I wouldn't. A letter may be in- 
tercepted and it would only betray the anger that 
dictated it. As for divorce, there is time enough 
for that later, when you shall have reflected. You 
will, in all probability, soon return to Paris. The 
last despatches said that your enemies were circulat- 
ing reports of your death. You said that that was 
done for the purpose of undermining you political- 
ly- 

Napoleon. Yes, and it was, but I cannot go 
back yet — Oh, Josephine! — I have yet to make a 
campaign into Syria, and {firmly) I cannot go to 
Paris now — not even for Josephine! Ah! Jose- 
phine! She has taught me to disbelieve in persons. 
I accepted her affectation of affection as sterling 
coin. But oh! the folly of man to believe in 
woman ! 

Bourrienne. You wrong that woman. I have 
never seen her but all tenderness and love for you. 
She is naturally conquettish, but that does not mean 
a wanton philander — necessarily. 



32 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Napoleon. Ah! There is fire where there is 
so much smoke. 

BouRRiENNE. How did Junot happen to tell 
you this? 

Napoleon. I don't know. (Looking up sud- 
denly) I believe I asked him. 

BouRRiENNE. And he trafficked on your cre- 
dulity. 

Napoleon. No! No! He did not. 

BouRRiENNE. Yes, he did! You love that 
woman so madly that you have to be all action — 
action of some kind — it's your nature. Just now 
you are a jealous man, that is all! 

Napoleon. No! She was showing my letters 
to Murat and somebody else and laughing at them! 

Bourrienne. I don't believe it! 

Napoleon. Ah! He quoted them — 

Bourrienne. Who ? 

Napoleon. Junot — He quoted them exactly! 
(fiercely) Do you think I want to be the laughing 
stock of the whole army? 

Bourrienne. (kindly) The Little Corporal 
can never be that! 

Napoleon. Ah, you don't know! We are all 
but puppets of fate after all! (After a few mo- 
ments tvith sudden determination) I'll get back at 
her! — ^Where's that Mme. Foures that they all call 
"the little general" — that pretty blonde that Eu- 
gene and Merlin think so fine? 

Bourrienne. (surprised) But her husband! 

Napoleon. Who is her husband? 

Bourrienne. Lieut. Foures of the 22d Chas- 
seures. 

Napoleon. Send for him. 



ACT II 33 

BOURRIENNE. NoW? 

Napoleon. At once! 

Exit Bourrienne. 

Napoleon {sits and takes pen and paper) 
What's her name, Pauline or Marie? {Writes) 
I have seen and desired only you. You are fair to 
me as Cleopatra to the panting Antony. Accept 
the gifts I send herewith and grace my table at 
Palace Elifi-Bey tomorrow evening at eight, {stops 
writing and muses) Letters! I'll write such let- 
ters to this woman as that false Josephine never 
dreamed of. I'll give her the blush, {mournfully) 
A camp woman! How little I thought when I 
held my Josephine in the first flush of my love that 
so soon the mockery of it all would be known to 
the world. 

\^Enter Lieut. Foures; he salutes. Bourrienne 
who is with him retires some little distance.^ 

Napoleon. {To Foures) The fortunes of war 
are uncertain. I desire you to take these dispatches 
with all haste to the Directory at Paris. An armed 
ship leaves the habor tonight at eleven. 

Lieut. Foures, My wife — may I take her? 
She could — 

Napoleon. No! A soldier has no such priv- 
ileges. You did well to smuggle her here. Ask 
no more. Bid her good-bye — {maliciously) your 
faithful wife^ — ^until you meet again! 

Exit Foures. 

Napoleon, {continuing his letter) A kind 
answer alone can requite your adorer. Napoleon. 
{calls) Bourrienne! {hands him letter) See that 
this letter, a bouquet of choice flowers — I don't 
care what — some beautiful trinket — ANY beautiful 



34 PUPPETS OF FATE 

trinket — be in the hands of that woman tomorrow 
morning. Her husband goes tonight. 

Exit Bourrienne. 

Napoleon. Accursed fools we men, and I the 
greatest simpleton of them all! 

CURTAIN 



SCENE II 

Scene — Same as Act I, Scene I, with this ex- 
ception; a graceful couch takes the place of the 
table and chairs R. The settle is at back of stage 
and L. while the table and chairs take its place 
down L. The time is seventeen months after Na- 
poleons marriage to Josephine and just after his 
arrival in Paris at rue Chatereine, Josephine's home. 

Enter l^lapoleon with Lucien and Joseph. 

Napoleon. Oh, you have told me enough. Her 
debts that Joseph tells me of are nothing; they can 
be paid. 

Lucien. I don't see what you married her for; 
you must have known of her relations with Barras. 

Napoleon. Stop! — I don't give a damn what 
happened before I married her; if I didn't question 
her, you need not. 

Joseph. {Seeing Lucien is crushed) Well, 
since your marriage then ! There is no doubt what- 
ever of M. Charles' devotion at Milan. 

Lucien. Whenever LeClerc was away, he was 
there and when you had him arrested, she — 

Napoleon {Savagely) What? 

Joseph. She wrote and procured him a position 



ACT II 35 

here in Paris at Brodin's. 

Napoleon. What else? 

LuciEN. Murat — she used to show your letters 
to him and make sport of them and you. 

Napoleon. So this is the way she carried on 
for seventeen months while I have been facing death 
at the cannon's mouth to make her the wife of an 
emperor ! 

LuciEN. Hush ! 

Joseph. Be careful ! 

Napoleon. I thought of her as suffering — 

LuciEN. Yes, while you thought her ill, she 
was attending every fete and opera of moment in 
Paris. 

Napoleon. I thought to get a wife who would 
aid me socially — a wife of the old regime. I thought 
to carve out a name and future on the battlefield — 

Enter Duroc. 

Napoleon. Ah, Duroc, you see me in my 
weakness. 

Voices of mob outside shouting Napoleon's name. 

Napoleon. I return after seventeen months to 
find my wife not at home to welcome me ! But I'll 
divorce her! 

Duroc. Yes. — Do you hear those acclamations 
in the street? 

Napoleon. Yes. — Dear to me as was the sound 
of Josephine's voice ! 

Duroc. Yes. They do not expect a scandal. 
Do your duty to your country before you dismiss 
your wife. To advertise your domestic trials is to 
lay yourself open to ridicule and THAT in France 
—in France RIDICULE is DEATH— Where 
is she? 



36 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Napoleon. Guilty — she dares not look upon 
my face! Gone! 

DuROC. Yes — gone to meet you by the road 
over which you were announced to arrive; gone to 
meet you, man! You took the Bourbonnais route, 
and she, poor woman, missed you ! 

Napoleon. Yes, missed me! I wish I missed 
her! 

DuROC. Yes! (ivith vehemence) What kind 
of friends or {looking sharply at Napoleon s broth- 
ers) relatives have you an5avay! 

LuciEN {to Joseph) She will appear before him 
with all her fascinations, explain matters, he'll for- 
give all — 

Napoleon. What's that you say? I forgive? 
Forgive! Never! Never! {striding up and down) 
You know me. Were I not sure of my resolution, 
I would pluck out this heart and cast it into the 
fire. 

Exeunt Lucien and Duroc. Enter Josephine, 
Hortense and Eugene. 

Josephine, {extending her arms to Napoleon) 
Napoleon ! 

Napoleon, {waving her off) Madame, it is 
my wish that you retire immediately from this 
house. Retire immediately to Malmaison. 

Hortense. {as her mother falls weeping and 
exhausted on Eugene's shoulder) She ha# been 
traveling steadily for three days trying to catch up 
with you. How can you be so cruel! 

Exeunt Eugene, Hortense and Josephine. 

Napoleon, {looking after Josephine) The 
doors of my heart are closed to you forever! {to 
Joseph) Tell Eugene to come here at once! 



ACT II 37 

Enter Eugene. 

Napoleon. I want to speak to you. It is too 
late for you to go tonight to Malmaison. She can 
stay here — but not with me; tell her so! As for 
you, you will never suffer for your mother's mis- 
deeds. I shall keep you always with me. 

Eugene. No; you wont! When my mother is 
cast out, I am — on principal. 

Napoleon. Well spoken. I remember the day 
I gave you back your father's sv/ord. {drops his 
head on Eugene's shoulder) Oh, Josephine! 

Exeunt Napoleon and Eugene in tender embrace. 

[^Stage dark. Josephine comes in and mounts the 
staircase, sobbing aloud as she goes.^ 

Josephine {shaking door at top of stairs) Open, 
Napoleon, open ! Oh ! my husband ! Open ! 

Napoleon {from within) That door shall never 
be opened to you again! 

[Josephine remains sobbing at the door. Hor- 
tense and Eugene enter and climb the stair-case to 
her.^ 

Josephine. What shall 1 do ? I never realized 
my love for him until I fear the losing of it ! What 
is now left to me, my children? 

Hortense. {shaking door) How can you be 
so cruel as to refuse to see her after your long 
absence! At least, give her a chance to give her 
side of the story! 

Eugene. You will surely kill her if you do not 
see her! 

[Hortense and Eugene lead her down and she lies 
on the couchj Hortense and Eugene kneeling beside 
her. Suddenly the door at the head of the stairs 
opens and Napoleon appears with candle. He comes 



38 PUPPETS OF FATE 

down to the landing and calls "Josephine."^ 

Napoleon. {Advancing further down and put- 
ting light on table) Josephine! 

Josephine, {springing up) Napoleon! Let 
me explain ! Children, leave us ! 

Exeunt Hortense and Eugene. 

Napoleon. Ah! but can you explain? Can 
you explain the frequent calls of Blondin? 

Josephine. I can show you his letters offering 
marriage to my daughter, Hortense! He cultivated 
me that I might give my sanction. 

Napoleon. {Shaking his head) M.Charles? — 

Josephine, A purely platonic friend — 

Napoleon. {Shaking his head) No. 

Josephine. I have nothing but my vi^ord, Bon- 
aparte. 

Napoleon. I take it! {steps to door) Eugene! 

Enter Eugene. 

Napoleon. I thought you'd not be far off! 
{turns and takes Josephine in his ai'ms) You {to 
Josephine) — you have conquered; I love you too 
much to repudiate you. Reproaches are senseless. 
If you w^ere not very dear and necessary to me, I 
WOULD NOT TAKE YOU BACK! {to Eu- 
gene who has been looking on amazed) Send Lucien 
and Bourrienne to me at once. I have something 
very important to say to both. 

Exit Eugene. 

{^Josephine sobs quietly in Islapoleons arms.'\ 

Enter Bourrienne. 

Napoleon. When I left Africa, I ordered 
Mme. Foures to follow me to Paris on the next 
armed boat. She arrives tomorrow in the "Ameri- 
ca." I forbid her to set foot in France. You un- 



ACT II 39 

derstand. 

Josephine. Oh ! Bonaparte ! 

Napoleon. Furnish her with all the money 
she wants. Any arrangement you make will be sat- 
isfactory to me and MUST be so to her. That is 
all! 

Exit Bourrienne^ meeting Lucien coming in. 

Napoleon, {sternly to Lucien) Josephine and 
I are reconciled. Her explanations are sufficient. 
She has my entire confidence. YOU UNDER- 
STAND! ■ 

Exit Lucien. 

{Napoleon takes candle and mounts steps to his 
room; Josephine follows weeping.'\ 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Scene — Room in a palace at Mantuttj Italyj 
1807. See Scene Plot. 

Enter the Emperor Napoleon and Lucien. 

Napoleon. Well, sir, I have sent for you to as- 
certain if you still hold to Madame Jouberthon and 
her son? 

Lucien. Mme. Jouberthon is my wife, and her 
son is my son! 

Napoleon. No ; no ! since it is a marriage which 
I do not recognize and, consequently, null. 

Lucien. I contracted it lawfully, as a citizen 
and as a Christian. 

Napoleon. The civil act is illegal, and it is 
known that you gave a priest twenty-five louis-d'or 
to persuade him to marry you. 

Lucien. Doubtless Your Majesty, when he in- 
vited me here, did not do so for the purpose of 
paining me; if that is his intention, I withdraw. 

Napoleon. I have conquered Europe, and cer- 
tainly I should not flinch before you. You owe 
your peaceful life in Rome to my kindness, but, 
through the prestige of my name, 5'^ou are acquiring 
a consideration there which displeases me, and in 
time you will annoy me. I will order you to go 
away, and I will make you leave Europe. 

Lucien. And if I should not obey? 

Napoleon. I will have you arrested. 

Lucien. And then — 

Napoleon. I shall have you sent to Bicetre and 
40 



ACT III 41 

then if — 

LuciEN. I should defy you to commit a crime. 

Napoleon. Don't speak to me that way; don't 
imagine you can impose upon met I repeat it, I 
have not conquered Europe to flinch before my 
Brother Lucien! Leave the room! 

LuciEN. {paying no attention to the command) 
I had no intention of displeasing your majesty by 
saying that which should show my high opinion of 
the greatness of his soul. 

Napoleon. Never mind my soul! Cast your 
eyes on the map of the world, and then join us, 
Lucien, and take your share. It will be a fine one, 
I promise you. The throne of Portugal is empty. 
I have declared that the king shall cease to reign. 
I will give it to you. Take command of the army 
destined to make an easy conquest of it and I will 
make you a French prince and my lieutenant. The 
daughters of your first wife shall be my nieces; I 
will establish them in life. I will marry the eldest 
to the Prince of the Asturias. The King of Spain 
asks it as a favor. 

Lucien. My eldest daughter, Sire, is not yet 
thirteen ; she is not old enough to be married. 

Napoleon. I thought she was older. 

Lucien. In a year or two I shall gladly let 
you dispose of her as you see fit. 

Napoleon. Then there are difficulties about the 
children of your first wife and you have daughters 
by your second wife. I will adopt them. You 
have a son by her, too; I shall not recognize him; 
his mother shall have an important principality and 
he can be her heir. As for YOU, go to Lisbon; 
leave your wife and son in Rome and I will look 



42 PUPPETS OF FATE 

after them. Your ties are broken; I will find the 
way. 

LuciEN. That can only be by divorce. 

Napoleon. And why not? That is a frank 
and positive way of stating it and perfectly suits 
me. I want to be reconciled to you and you know 
the price attached to the Portuguese crown! 

LuciEN. I see that to get it, I should have to 
consent to make my wife a concubine, my son a 
bastard. Your Majesty knows me ill if he has 
been able to believe that the offer of a crown could 
tempt me to a dishonorable action. 

Napoleon. He who is not with me is against 
me; if you do not enter into my system, you are my 
enemy, and thereby I have the right to persecute 
you, and I will persecute you. 

LuciEN. I do not want you to be my enemy, 
Sire; I cannot become one to you by preserving my 
honor and my virtue, by refusing to give up my 
reputation for a throne, and that this disagreement 
may be unknown, let your majesty give me some 
spectacular proof of his kindness. Give me the 
broad ribbon of the Legion of Honor. 

Napoleon. No; by taking my colors you 
would ruin your reputation. It is a great thing to 
be opposed to me. It is a fine part to play. You 
can continue it for two years, and then you will 
have to leave Europe. 

LuciEN. I shall be prepared to leave much 
sooner. I should have gone long since to America 
had it not been for the entreaties of my mother 
and Josephine. 

Napoleon. I do not ask that of you. My 
propositions are not too unreasonable to be thought 



ACT III 43 

over. Ponder them with your wife. Jerome yield- 
ed to me — gave up his wife and see him NOW! 
Monarch of the Kingdom of Westphalia. 

LuciEN. Yes; Jerome yielded to you, but Lu- 
cien is made of different metal! 

Napoleon, {angrily) I am the Emperor! 

LuciEN. Emperor or not! I want you to dis- 
tinctly understand that I prefer my simple, homely 
wife — "the soap-maker's daughter," as you choose 
to call her, to all the wealth, all the honors, all 
the kingdoms of the world! 

Napoleon. Go! 

Exit Lucien; Napoleon paces up and down like 
a caged lion. 

Enter Josephine weeping. 

Napoleon. Why are you crying, Josephine? 
It is absurd. I have created your son Vice-Roy of 
Italy, and now you cry because you are separated 
from him. If the absence of your children gives 
you so much pain, judge what I must suffer. The 
affection you show them makes me feel the more 
acutely my unhappiness in having none. 

Josephine. Oh, Bonaparte, don't. 

Napoleon. Besides, I have real troubles — not 
imaginary ones ! I have just quarreled with Lucien, 
and ordered him from my sight. 

Josephine. Why? 

Napoleon. ^ Because that wife of his is inap- 
propriate and inadmissible. I want him to marry — 

Josephine. Let him love or marry whom he 
chooses. Let him have that right of all. — She ap- 
pears to be a worthy woman and he loves her. Let 
him alone. 

Napoleon. You are very kind to plead for 



44 PUPPETS OF FATE 

HIM — It is very hard to find in one's family op- 
position to such great interests. I shall have to 
isolate myself from everyone and to depend upon 
myself alone. Well, I shall suffice for myself and 
you, my good Josephine, will console me for every- 
thing, {confidentially) I have married my brother 
Louis to your daughter Hortense and their son 
shall be ours BY ADOPTION. 

Here is the edict. {Takes from an inner 
pocket a folded paper with red seal and ribbon) 
"The French people desire the inheritance of the 
imperial dignity in the direct, natural or adoptive 
line of descent from Napoleon Bonaparte — as is 
determined by the organic senatus consultum of the 
28th Floral Year XII." 

Josephine. Ah, Bonaparte, you have been so 
good to us all. Your blood and mine you make to 
mount the throne of kings! But this last — adopting 
my daughter Hortense's child — why! the young 
Napoleon, when you and I shall have passed away, 
will be Emperor of France! And you have done 
this — my husband! 

Enter Louis, Mme. Murat and Stephanie de 
Beauharnais. 

Napoleon. Well, Louis? I read opposition in 
every line of your face! What now? 

Louis. I have just learned that you reserve for 
yourself the right of adoption, and that you choose 
to adopt my child as your own! 

Napoleon. Yes. 

Mme. Murat. Why condemn me and my sis- 
ters to obscurity, tOi contempt, while covering 
strangers with honors and dignity! 

Napoleon. My DEAR sister Caroline, judg- 



ACT III 45 

ing from your pretentions, one would suppose that 
I had inherited this throne from the late king, 
your father, and that I were trying to cheat you 
out of it. Kindly reflect that were it not for me 
you would still be plain Caroline Bonaparte, not 
even the wife of Gen. Murat. 

[Mme. Murat goes R. to where Stephanie has 
seated herself unostentatiously on a small chair and 
takes her by the arm roughly.^ 

Mme. Murat. Get up ; it is not proper for 
anyone to remain seated in the presence of the fami- 
ly of the emperor. {The girl rises and weeps soft- 
ly with chagrin.) 

Louis. But why must I resign to my SON a 
part of your succession? Why do I deserve to be 
disinherited ? What will be my condition when this 
child, having become yours, shall find himself in a 
position superior to mine, independent of me, hold- 
ing the place next to you, and eyeing me with un- 
easiness, or possibly even with contempt? No; I 
shall never consent to it; and rather than consent 
to bow my head before my son, I shall leave France 
and take the young Napoleon with me, and then we 
shall see, if, in the face of the world, you will dare 
to take a child from his father. 

Napoleon. Louis, you certainly ARE self- 
sacrificing and disinterested! You are a model 
father for all time! 

Enter Joseph. 

Napoleon. Joseph! He has some complaint. 
Ye gods! What a harmonious household! If our 
poor Corsican father could see us now! Joseph! 

Joseph, {thunders) Yes! 

Napoleon {before Joseph can say another word) 



46 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Consider the origin of the Bonaparte family! For 
God's sake do you be a prince and don't disturb 
yourself about the transmission of the title! What 
are you crying for, Stephanie? Any pins in that 
chair? Or are Caroline's remarks as barbed as 
usual? Come and sit on my knee and you wont 
incommode "the sister of an Emperor!" {Dances 
her on his knee.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT IV 



SCENE I 



Scene — Room in FontainebleaUj 1 809. Doors 
C. in back flat and L. I E. Up stage and L. C. a 
grand piano with bench for players; also harp near- 
by. Louis XIV chairs here and there and large 
potted plants. R. on dais with red rug two high 
backed chairs with Napoleon s medallion on leather 
backs. Fire-place with mantle R. 

[The doors are thrown wide open and a lackey 
anounces: The EMPRESS JOSEPHINE and 
HORTENSE, QUEEN OF HOLLAND and 
Ladies. Josephine mounts the dais and sits; Hor- 
tense is motioned to take her place beside her mother 
and on her right.^ 

Josephine, (to the lady of the three ladies-in- 
waiting next to her) Duchess, I want to talk pri- 
vately with my daughter. You and my ladies may 
have the morning to drive in the park. {Ladies 
bow profoundly and retire, lackeys opening the 
doors for them but only half way, as the doors are 
only opened to their full extent for Napoleon or 
Josephine.) 

HoRTENSE. The most desirable of all blessings 
is repose, seclusion, a little spot we can call our 
own. You and I, mother, cannot but see that a 
court satisfies no one and yet prevents one from 
being satisfied anywhere else. 

Josephine. Yes, Hortense, often I think that 
a court is a country where the joys are visible but 
47 



48 PUPPETS OF FATE 

false, and the sorrows, hidden but nevertheless real. 
Never does Providence show more clearly the noth- 
ingness of this world's grandeur and magnificence 
than in the study of our own court life. It is sure 
to teach wisdom and indifference to human glories. 

HoRTENSE. Why do you speak thus, mother? 
It sounds almost like a prophecy of ill. Why are 
you so sad these days? Is it not enough for me to 
mourn the loss of my boy? 

Josephine. Ah! Hortense, that boy is a double 
loss. Since his death, Napoleon is not the same to 
me. I have a feeling in my heart that all is not 
well. For nine years now I have held sway over 
his heart and I know every movement — I have 
studied him — he can hide nothing from me and — 
something awful is coming to me! 

'[Announced: Fouche, Minister of Police; Cor- 
visart. Court Physician. Josephine and Hortense 
rise and the latter goes over to the piano and plays 
some softy sad chords until summoned by the Em- 
press later on in the scene.'\ 

Josephine. Ah, Fouche; Doctor! {to lackeys) 
Chairs! — ^You may be seated! 

Fouche {bowing) Your Majesty is gracious! 

Doctor {bowing) Most Serene Highness! 
{sits.) 

[Announced: The Emperor. Enter Napoleon 
with a few gentlemen. Josephine, Fouche and 
Corvisart all rise.'\ 

Napoleon. Ah, Fouche; {looking playfully at 
the Empress) I believe thou art the wickedest fel- 
low in my dominions! 

Fouche. {bowing profoundly) For a subject. 
Sire, I really think I am! 



ACT IV 49 

Napoleon. Good, Fouche; your wit is ever 
polished. 

Fouche. Your Royal Higness, I thank you. 

Napoleon, {to Corvisart) How now, Doctor, 
what have you to say for yourself? Tell me now, 
my good doctor, how many men have you sent into 
the other world? 

Doctor. Not nearly so many as has your ma- 
jesty, but with infinitely less glory! 

Napoleon. Ah, I see, my good doctor, that you 
have other weapons than the dissecting knife, and 
ONE that grows keener with constant use. {En- 
tertainingly) I asked the doctor once to play a 
quiet game of cards with me, and the old rogue 
told me he knew not the difference between a knave 
and a King! 

All. Ha! Ha! Ha! 

Napoleon. Come, Doctor, I desire your pres- 
ence just now! 

Exit Emperor and followers. 

Josephine {sitting) Now, your business, please, 
Fouche ! 

Fouche. As a minister, charged with general 
supervision, I am here to bring to your ma- 
jesty's mind a certain fact. In the eyes of the 
Council, for the public good — above all, for the 
strengthening of the existing dynasty, it is required 
that the Emperor should have children. We think, 
Your Highness, that you ought to ask the Senate to 
join with you in demanding of the Emperor a sacri- 
fice most painful to his heart! 

Josephine {with remarkable coolness) Stop! 
Do you take this step by the Emperor's orders? 

Fouche. No! As a minister charged with a 



50 PUPPETS OF FATE 

general supervision, as a private citizen and one de- 
voted to his highness' glory. 

Josephine. In that case, I have nothing to say 
to you. I regard my union with the Emperor as 
written in the Book of Fate. I shall never discuss 
this matter with anyone but him. I will never do 
anything but by his orders. 

{^Announced: M. Gretry, the Composer.~\ 

Josephine, {to Fouche) You are dismissed. 
{He hands her a folded paper) What is this? 

Fouche. {bowing profoundly) Reading mat- 
ter for Your Highness! 

Exit Fouche. 

Josephine. Gretry — now that I have you to 
myself — you may be seated — I want to — strange 
thing to do — I want to apologize for my husband's 
forgetfulness which must be plainful to you. The 
Emperor is not good at remembering names and he 
seems to have particular difficulty in remembering 
yours, but, believe me, he is not so forgetful of 
your contribution to the world of music. 

[Re-enter the Emperor coming back to go out 
Door C. Gretry and Josephine rise and boiu.l 

Napoleon, {to Gretry) Let me seel What is 
it you call yourself, pray? 

Gretry {bowing but amused immeasurably) 
Your Highness, I am STILL Gretry. 

Napoleon. Yes, that is the name! Your pres- 
ence, please. 

Exit Gretry in train of Emperor. 

Josephine, {left to herself reads paper given 
her by Fouche) Hortense! Hortense! — What 
shall I do to ward o£F this storm ? The Minister of 
Police — try to be calm — herein urges the spon- 



ACT IV 51 

taneous sacrifice of my love. "The more painful 
the more meritorious," he says. 

HoRTENSE. Mother, my advice is to go this 
very moment to the Emperor. 

Josephine. But is it not clear that Fouche was 
sent by the Emperor and that my fate is sealed? 
Alas! To leave the throne is nothing to me. Who 
knows better than I how many tears I have shed 
there! But to lose at the same time the man to 
whom I have given my best love — this sacrifice is 
beyond my strength. 

Hortense. It may not be so bad. Go to him, 
mother. Remember \^ou must seem to have con- 
sulted no one. Make him read this letter. Watch 
him closely — show him that you hate such round- 
about methods; tell him such an order should come 
only from him. Wait — wait — until he has retired 
— then go to him. 

Josephine. Ah, my daughter, I told you of his 
restraint in manner, of the anxious looks of my at- 
tendants and his. He has had the masons wall up 
the door between our apartments! Ah! If you 
knew in what torments I have passed the last few 
weeks in which I was no longer his wife, although 
compelled to appear before the world as such ! The 
agony and suspense. In what uncertainty, what 
expectancy, more cruel than death, I have lived and 
am still living, awaiting the lightening stroke that 
has long glowed in Napoleon's eyes! 

Hortense. Ah, mother, your cause is lost! 

Josephine. I know it, my daughter! I know 
ft! 

Lackey opens door center and Napoleon enters 
unannounced. 



52 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Josephine. The hour has come! — May Hor- 
tense remain ? 

Napoleon, {to Hortense) Go. {to Josephine) 
No! 

Exit Hortense weeping. 

Napoleon, {trembling and shuddering takes 
Josephine's hand and presses it close to his heart, 
and after gazing sometime at Josephine) Josephine, 
my dear Josephine, you know how I have loved you. 
I have been wont to say it was tO' war I owed my 
glory and my power. Without it I would have been 
nothing; by it, I was everything. I love war both 
by instinct and calculation but to you — to you alone, 
I owe the only moments of pure happiness I have 
tasted in this world. But, Josephine, my destiny is 
not to be controlled by my will. Friendship is only 
a name, and men must be firm in heart and pur- 
pose or they should have nothing to do with war or 
government. {Puts both hands on her shoulders) 
Josephine, my destiny is not to be controlled by my 
will. {Lets her stand alone unsupported) My 
dearest affections must yield to the interests of 
France ! 

Josephine. Say no more! I understand you! 
I expected this, but the blow is nonetheless mortal. 

She falls face downward. 

Josephine. You will not do it! You do not 
wish to kill me! 

Napoleon. {Who has taken candle from man- 
tle over fire-place, standing in Door C. looking 
sadly at her) In the interests of France and for 
my dynasty, {exit) 

CURTAIN 



ACT IV 53 

N. B. If a curtain call is given, Corvisart, The 
Court Physician, and Hortense mill be leaning 
tenderly over the Empress. 

SCENE II 

Scene — Room in Fontainebleau, one day later. 
Large Center Door at back of stage, fire-place R. 
and somewhat down stage; Davenport R. On 
raised dais L. square table luith high backed chair 
{for Napoleon) so placed that when he sits on same 
the audience can see his face well; smaller arm- 
chair for Josephine opposite this. 

Discover Regnault de Saint-Jean d'Angely talk- 
ing before fire-place. 

Regnault. {to Arnault, the Poet, standing be- 
side him) True, Josephine is vastly admired by the 
French people. Whatever her previous errors, since 
she has been allied to him, her devotion has been 
unquestionable. All the fibres of her loving heart 
have entwined themselves about him. 

Arnault. Why don't you men who are closest 
to the Emperor tell him all this? 

Regnault. We have done so — many of us. 
We have urged upon him that an alliance with a 
member of some old dynasty like that of Austria 
might be contrary to the Republican spirit of the 
people, but how can a man tell the truth to himself 
when the press is muzzled and public power rests 
only on his general approval ; when there is no slave 
even to remind the triumphant hero, as in ancient 
times, that he is only a man! How is it possible 
to avoid being infatuated with one's own greatness 
and not to imagine oneself the absolute master of 



54 PUPPETS OF FATE 

one's destiny? 

Arnault. True, that man is an exceptional 
being; everything succumbs to his superior genius, 
to the force of his character, everything about him 
shows the stamp of authority. The man is born 
to command as so many others, to obey. I once 
heard the Prefect of Arras say "God created Bona- 
parte and then he rested!" 

Regnault. God v^^ould have done better had 
he rested a little sooner — ere He made him am- 
bitious of empire! 

Arnault. Yes; but if I am anything of a 
prophet, if Napoleon Bonaparte is not lucky enough 
to be carried off by a bullet within four years, he 
will be in exile! Hush! Careful! 

Napoleon {Enters with arms folded; crosses 
over to the fire-place and looks into it, then turns his 
back to the blaze and with head dropped medita- 
tively) It is an unhappy necessity that compels me 
to separate from her. I pity her from the depths 
of my heart. {Seeing Arnault and Regnault) As- 
certain for me if Eugene has yet arrived from Italy. 

Enter Eugene. 

Regnault. Even now, Your Majesty. 

Eugene {taking Napoleon s hand) Your Ex- 
cellence, is it true that you have decided to obtain 
a divorce from the Empress, my mother? {No an- 
swer save a pressure of the hand) Then {drops 
Napoleon s hand) Sire, in THAT case, permit me 
to withdraw from your service. 

Napoleon. How! Will you, Eugene, my 
adopted son, leave me? 

Eugene. Yes, Sire, {firmly) the son of her 
who is no longer an Empress cannot remain vice- 



ACT IV 55 

roy of Italy. I will follow my mother into her 
retreat. Her only consolation now must be in her 
children. 

Napoleon, (in a mournful tone) Eugene, you 
know the stern necessity which compels this meas- 
ure, and will you forsake me? Who, then, should 
I have a son, the object of my desires and preserver 
of my interests, who would watch over the child 
when I am absent ? If I die, who will prove to him 
a father? Who will bring him up? Who is to 
make a man of him? 

Eugene, {taking his hand) My benefactor — 
my more than father! It is my mother's command 
— even now — that I give you boundless obedience. 

Napoleon. Matchless Josephine! Unique and 
unparalleled in history shall she be. I give her 
more than money, palaces, titles; I give her my 
sympathy and my tears. {With sudden resolution) 
Let us have it over. Arnault and Regnault, sum- 
mon them from the next room — I am ready for the 
preliminaries! Come! {goes over to his chair and 
Eugene with folded arms takes his place beside him. 
Regnault stands behind chair intended for Jose- 
phine.) 

[Enter Caroline and Gen. Murat, Stephanie, 
Ladies - in - Waiting, Louis, Junot, Bourrienne, 
Joseph, Fouche, Corvisart, etc., etc. Napoleon sits 
dazed. Nothing is said.'\ 

{^Enter Empress Josephine, pale but self-possess- 
ed, on the arm of Hortense, who is weeping bitter- 
ly. Josephine advances gracefully to seat assigned 
to her; Regnault takes his place on her left and 
Hortense on her right. Napoleon rises, she bows to 
him and he waves her to be seatedJ] 



56 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Napoleon {In a hard metallic voice, reads from 
paper taken from table) "The political interests 
of my monarchy, the wishes of my people, which 
have constantly guided my actions, require that I 
should transmit to an heir, inheriting my love for 
the people, the throne on which Providence has 
placed me. For many years I have lost all hopes of 
having children by my beloved spouse, the Empress 
Josephine, and it is this consideration which in- 
duces me to sacrifice the sweetest affections of my 
heart, to consult only the good of my subjects, and 
to desire the dissolution of my marriage. Arrived 
at the age of forty years, I may indulge a reasonable 
hope of living long enough to rear, in the spirit of 
my own thoughts and disposition, the children with 
whom it may please God to bless me. God knows 
what such a determination has cost my heart; but 
there is no sacrifice which is above my courage when 
it is proved to be for the interests of France. Far 
from having any cause of complaint, I have nothing 
to say but in praise of the attachment and tenderness 
of my beloved spouse. She has embellished fifteen 
years of my life, and the remembrance of them 
will be forever engraven on my heart. She was 
crowned by my hand. She shall retain always the 
rank and title of Empress. Above all, let her never 
doubt my feelings, or regard me but as her best and 
dearest friend." 

Josephine, {rises and with paper in hand fal- 
ters) By the permission of my august and dearly 
beloved spouse, I am here to say that I respond to 
all the sentiments of the Emperor in consenting to 
the dissolution of a marriage which, henceforth, is 
an obstacle to the happiness of France, by depriving 



ACT IV 57 

it of the blessing of being one day governed by the 
descendants of that great man who was evidently 
raised up by Providence to efface the evils of a 
great revolution, and to restore the altar, and the 
throne and social order, {dropping down into seat, 
she hands the paper to Regnault that he may read 
the remainder.) 

Regnault {while Josephine sits with head tn 
hand of arm resting on table — everyone weeping 
more or less apparently) "But his marriage will in 
no respect change the sentiments of my heart. The 
Emperor will ever find in me his best friend. I 
know what this act, commanded by policy and ex- 
alted interests, has cost his heart, and we both glory 
in the sacrifices we make for the good of the coun- 
try! I feel elevated in giving the greatest proof 
of attachment and devotion that was ever given 
upon earth. 

[Napoleon rises and goes around the table and 
takes Josephine's hand {she has risen); then 
he takes her in his arms for a brief space of time 
until Hortense takes her to lead her out. Eugene 
attempts to follow but faints on threshold crying 
"Mother, Mother!"!^ 

CURTAIN 

[Curtain rises immediately to find stage clear 
save for Napoleon who stands dejectedly with arms 
folded and head held meditatively and with back to 
fire-place. At length he crosses to couch and sits 
there staring blankly. 

Enter Josephine in dressing gown. She hesitates 
and then totters toward him.l 



58 PUPPETS OF FATE 

Josephine. My husband! My husband! {flings 
herself into his arms and lavishes on him the tender- 
est caresses. Both weep.) 

Napoleon, {seeing Constant who has follow- 
ed and remained in door) Go outside, Constant. 
{Sits on couch with Josephine and lets her sob) 
Come, my good Josephine, {rises) be more reason- 
able. Come, courage, courage ! I shall look out for 
you and your children. I shall come to see you 
often — very often, but — I respect the wife too much 
to make her the mistress. You must go, my good 
Josephine ! Constant ! Constant ! 

Enter Constant who leads Josephine out. Na- 
poleon throws himself on couch. 

Re-enter Constant. 

Napoleon. Take away the lights. {In the 
darkness as he throws himself wearily down) I feel 
as if my star had gone out! I won battles, but 
Josephine conquered hearts! 

CURTAIN 



ACT V 

Scene — Josephine's boudoir at Malmaison in 
May 1814. Large door R. C. Grand Piano, bench 
for same, harp R. toward back of stage. Writing 
desk suitable for lady L. C. and large potted plants 
with bust of Napoleon gleaming from pedestal. 
Down stage R. small table with small chair on 
either side. Settle down stage left. 

[Discover Josephine sitting at her desk and Hor- 
tense playing softly on piano. Josephine takes some 
letters from desk and comes down stage and sits on 
settle reading and musing alternately.'] 

Josephine. Four years have passed since that 
day — three since the birth of that boy. {Picks up 
one of the letters and reads) "This infant in con- 
cert without Eugene will constitute my happiness 
and that of France." Ah! Bonaparte, you were 
most amiable ! Could anything be better calculated 
to soothe whatever might be painful in my thoughts 
when the cannon were booming and the bells ring- 
ing that announced to the world that Napoleon's 
sacrifice of his wife to an inordinate ambition had 
not been in vain. Surely the morning when I first 
saw Napoleon enter this room, leading the young 
Napoleon by the hand, was certainly the happiest 
of my life, for it effaced, for a time, the recollection 
of all that had preceded it, for never have I re- 
ceived from him a more touching mark of affection 
and respect. Ah! that fatal campaign in Russia. 
For two hours we sat here and I begged him not to 
attempt it — not to tempt the gods too much. That 
59 



6o PUPPETS OF FATE 

was our last interview but one. He rose and kissed 
my hand and left me asking me to wish him good 
luck! And then he returned — this time a fugitive, 
and, as he stood there, "Josephine," he said, "I 
have been as fortunate as ever man on the face of 
this earth. But in this hour of defeat, when a 
storm is gathering over my head, I have not, in 
this wide world, anyone but you in whom I can 
safely confide." And yes! "My marriage to 
Maria Louisa," he said, "was a pit covered with 
roses!" {She lifts a miniature of Napoleon from 
her bosom and kisses it tearfully) Hortense! Hor- 
tense! {When Hortense comes and sits beside her) 
Read to me from Napoleon's last letter from 
Brienne — that particular passage at the end! 

Hortense. {takes the bundle of letters from 
the settle beside Josephine and reads) This is the 
letter you mean. "On beholding those scenes where 
I had first passed my boyhood, and comparing my 
peaceful condition then with the agitation and ter- 
rors which I now experience, I several times said, 
in my own mind, I have sought to meet death in 
many conflicts; I can no longer fear it. To me 
death vt^iould now be a blessing. But I would once 
more see my Josephine." 

Josephine, {much affected) Ah! Bonaparte! 
You are not ungrateful ! 

[^Enter page ushering a courier. Josephine takes 
letter and hands it to Hortense with the request 
"Open it, Hortense!" She then takes both the 
hands of the courier in her own and a moment later 
she takes a valuable ring from her finger and gives 
it to him as a reward for bringing her letter safely. 
Then she takes the letter from Hortense and wav- 



ACT V 6i 

ing the courier to be seated at a table R. she reads 
the letter with much emotion.'] "Fontainebleau, 
April 1 6, 1814. Dear Josephine, — I wrote to you 
on the Sth of the month, but perhaps you have not 
received my letter. Hostilities still continued, and 
possibly it may have been intercepted. At present, 
the communication must be re-established. I have 
formed my resolution. I have no doubt that this 
letter will reach you. I luill not repeat what I said 
to you — Then I lamented my situation; now I con- 
gratulate myself upon it. My head and spirit are 
free from an enormous weight. My fall is great, 
but it may, as men say, prove useful. In my re- 
treat I shall substitute the pen for the sword. The 
history of my reign will be curious. The world 
has yet seen me only in profile. I shall show myself 
in full. How many things have I to disclose! How 
many are the men of luhom a false estimate is enter- 
tained! I have heaped benefits upon millions of 
wretches. What have they done in the end for me! 
They have all betrayed me — yes all. I except from 
this number the good Eugene, so worthy of you and 
me. Adieu! my dear Josephine. Be resigned as I 
am, and never forget him who never forgot and 
never will forget you. Farewell, Josephine, Na- 
poleon. P. S. I expect to hear from you at Elba. 
I am not well." Hortense! I must not remain 
here ! 

Hortense. Why not, mother? 

Josephine. My presence is necessary to the 
Emperor. 

Hortense. That is his wife's duty. Maria 
Louise! Remember! 

Josephine. The duty is indeed his wife's — 



62 PUPPETS OF FATE 

more Maria Louisa's than mine, but the Emperor 
is alonC'— forsaken ! I, at least, will not abandon 
him. I might be dispensed with while he was 
happy; now I am sure he expects me. (turning to 
courier) You will remain here until intelligence be 
received from the allied sovereigns. They will re- 
spect her who Was the wife of Napoleon. 

l^Doors thrown wide open and Emperor Alex- 
ander of Russia announced. Josephine and Hor- 
tense kneel. He lifts them gracefully to their feet. 
Exit Courier.^ 

Alexander. You are safe. My guard will 
protect you. Let me tell you that I have loved 
Napoleon so dearly that even the position of hos- 
tility which policy compels me to assume cannot 
banish from my heart friendship for the hero who 
so long ruled Europe. Madame, I burned with 
the desire of beholding you. Since I entered France, 
I have never heard your name pronounced but with 
benedictions. In the cottage and in the palace, I 
have collected accounts of your angelic goodness, 
and I do myself a pleasure in thus presenting to 
your majesty the universal homage of which I am 
the bearer. 

Josephine. I thank Your Majesty. Sire, I 
have always desired the happiness of France. I 
did all in my power to contribute to it; and I can 
say with truth that the first wife of Napoleon never 
caused a single tear to flow! 

Sound of herald announcing something not yet 
distinguishable. 

Josephine. What is that herald saying? What 
is that herald saying! 

Announced: THE EMPRESS MARIA 



ACT V 63 

LOUISA DECLINES TO FOLLOW THE 
EMPEROR. NAPOLEON THE GREAT, IN- 
TO EXILE J 

Alexander. And she had permission of the al- 
lies to accompany him ! 

HoRTENSE. Oh, God! Wonderful are thy 
ways ! 

Alexander, (to Josephine who is swaying) 
Madam, you are ill ! 

Josephine, (with hand on heart) Yes, Sire, 
I am bleeding here! (she falls) Isle of Elba! 
Napoleon! Maria Louisa! 

CURTAIN 



